PhD student (m,f,x) studying neural mechanisms of high-dimensional visual category learning

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to study neural mechanisms of high-dimensional visual category learning.

The lab generally seeks to understand the cortical basis and computational principles of perception and experience-dependent plasticity in the brain. To this end, we use a multimodal approach including fMRI-guided electrophysiological recordings in rodents and non-human primates, and fMRI and ECoG in humans. See https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.011 and https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51543-y for recent examples of our work. The PhD student will play a key role in our research efforts in this area.

The lab is located at Ruhr-University Bochum (https://www.rub.de) and the German Primate Center (http://www.dpz.eu). At both locations, the lab is embedded into interdisciplinary research centers with international faculty and students pursuing cutting-edge research in cognitive and computational neuroscience. The PhD student will have access to a new imaging center with a dedicated 3T research scanner, electrophysiology, and behavioral setups. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the labs of Fabian Sinz (https://sinzlab.org/people/fabian_sinz.html), Alexander Gail (https://www.dpz.eu/en/unit/sensorimotor-group/about-us.html), and Igor Kagan (http://igorkagan.org).

The Department of Cognitive Neurobiology of Caspar Schwiedrzik at Ruhr-University Bochum is looking for an outstanding PhD student interested in studying the neural basis of mental flexibility. The project investigates neural mechanisms of high-dimensional visual category learning, utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in combination with computational modelling and behavioral testing in humans. It is funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant (Acronym DimLearn; “Flexible Dimensionality of Representational Spaces in Category Learning”). The PhD student’s project will focus on developing new category learning paradigms to investigate the neural basis of flexible multi-task learning in humans using fMRI. In addition, the PhD student will cooperate with other lab members on parallel computational investigations using artificial neural networks as well as comparative research exploring the same questions in non-human primates.

Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae, a description of their scientific interests (with a particular focus on the topic of the project) and the names and contact information of two references who are able to comment on your academic background and who agreed to be contacted to caspar.schwiedrzik@rub.de.